You´ll enjoy a delicious breakfast just before we´ll pick you up to go to Calca in the Sacred Valley. Once there we have the last chance to buy anything you think you could need. We keep going to the highest place will be this first day: 4265 meters above sea level (13992 FASL), there Sawasiray and Pitusiray, two big mountains, say hello to us. Then we go down to 3207 MASL/10521 FASL in Lares a typical and small Colonial Town. There we can enjoy the springs, have lunch and finally get ready to start our hiking adventure. We´ll take an Increasing path to Huacawasi (3600 MASL – 11811 FASL) our first stop. This little Town is full of colors and good Vibes. Houses made of adobe and many of the typical Llamas.
After Breakfast start our trek to Aruraycocha (at 4500 MASL/14763 FASL) the highest point. The view is just amazing, you can see the beautiful Aruraycocha lake; and then go down towards it. Here the vegetation changes. It's the conservation area of Mantanay we can observe a typical kind of tree called the Q’euñas around the other lake: Yuraccocha. Around these lakes we´ll have lunch. If we are lucky enough, we can see the famous and huge Andean Condor. We´ll keep going down to Mantanay village our second campsite 3800 MASL/12467 FASL high.
Hopefully you had a nice sleep, because this morning is the last day of trakking heading to Yanahuara, located at 2950 MASL/9678 FASL. another beautiful and colorful town located in the Sacred Valley. There the weathers changes; we´ll be more warmer. Here also, the important white grain corn is harvested. And here it´s where we´ll have our last meal together and say good bye to our staff--Cooks and Horsemen--we´ll take a van to Ollantaytambo. Ollantaytambo is an archaeological site once the royal estate of Emperor Pachacuti, who conquered the region and now a days is some kind of museum due to the inca ruins . Located in the sacred valley is the place where we´ll take the train to Aguas Calientes, where we spend the night just before the day we finally climb Machu Picchu.
Very early in the morning, by bus or trkking, we will finally be at one of the wonder of the world. Machu Picchu will be all yours (if you trek) because you´ll be the first to arrive there; even before the inca trail trekers! Once there if you are in the right time you´ll enjoy the sunrise and start the 2 hours guided tour where you´ll learn every single secret, every single tale and every fact about the Inca citadele. After that you can decide whether climb Hauyna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain or visit the Sun Gate or the Inca Bridge. The Machu Picchu entrance check point is open from 06:00 AM until 17:00 PM. Around 1 pm most of the people is done. And take the bus back (we all finish really tired) to Aguas calientes. There you can have lunch in any of the really good restaurants there, maybe visit the museum or just chill waiting for the train and transport back to Cusco.
What an amazing experience. The time I spent on this trek I would not exchange for anything. Beautiful sights, the best guide ever, and a staff that provided everything needed. Our guide, Luis, offered sharp insight, proper rest, and the best motivation. He provided a feeling of safety and expertise to novice travellers. This experience will change your life.
The Lares trek to Machu Pichu was fantastic. I can’t imagine visiting Peru without our Valencia team. Our guide Enrique Salazar was knowledgeable about the history and culture of Peru, the flora and fauna of the Andes, and a super traveling companion. The chefs, Mario and Antonio, provided us amazing first class Peruvian cuisine morning, noon and night in their pop-up kitchen. The porters, Guillermo and Climaco, ensured our camp site was ready for us when we arrived at the end of the day and were so friendly and warm and welcoming to their county. Additionally, the office staff in Cusco, Carla Esquivel and Miguel Cuba, were very helpful in communicating about the planning and preparations before and during the trip. Valencia was recommended to me by friends at home in California and I will recommend Valencia to friends and family considering a visit to Peru. Derek S. San Luis Obispo, Ca
Absolutely amazing service! Genrri was a great guide with more information and history than you can possibly imagine. He taught us about the way of life, the culture and the environment we were hiking through. Mario and Antonio were fantastic chefs, we never ate the same meal twice and everything was delicious. Climaco and Guillermo provided excellent service with our bags, camp supplies and overall camp setup. Everything went smoothly. It allowed us to focus on the sites of the Lares trail, the history and the culture. The Lares trail was breathtaking. Challenging enough, but definitely worth it. Genrri provided us a detailed history once we reached Machu Pichu. I would recommend their services to anyone traveling to Peru.
This trip was amazing 100% recommend for anyone who wants to experience the true culture and landscapes of Peru. Our chef was Mario and assistant chef Antonio who were absolutely amazing making 3 course meals during the hike. Our muleteers, Climaco and Guillermo were very helpful and made the trip more relaxing with helping with all the gear and camo setup. Last and not least our guide Genrri was the best! He took the time to explain the history, culture, agriculture of the Incas and current peruvian people. He was very patient and kind and always looking for us to get the maximum experience. If you like the hiking experience take one of these hiking trips with Valencia! You will not regret it.
Unforgettable trek on the beautiful Lares Trail. The scenery was the best I’ve ever seen in my life, from snow capped peaks to jungle rainforest. Our guide, Miguel is the best in the business. He is extremely knowledgeable, is indigenous to the region, and is hilarious! The staff was amazing too, with amazing food and accommodations, even though we were deep in the wilderness. I highly recommend this trek, it was one of the best weeks of my life.
The trip was amazing. The views were beautiful and the people that lead the expedition were amazing workers and humans.
We had a wonderful time at Machu Picchu. Our guide, Andrés Noriega, was a great bloke and I would recommend him whole heartedly.
Incredible experience from start to finish! I went with a group of friends and we made memories that will last a lifetime. The views were unreal and our guide. Claudio Andia Paz, not only educated us on the history and traditions, but we interacted with the locals in a way I'll never forget. I can't recommend this trip enough, and if you go be sure to ask for Claudio Andia Paz as your guide. He is the best!
Incredible trip with friends and made. Started with coffee and breakfast at local market, then to Lares Hot springs for a dip before starting the hike. Visited with several local farmers and have treats to the kids in this rural location. Each day the views and experience was better. The Valencia yours was first class. Claudio Paz and his crew was the hard working and personal . They made us a cake at 15k feet. We are already planning our next trip.
Aldo was an amazing guide and made the trek very enjoyable. The whole experience was uplifting and well worth it.
We had amazing guide, very professional, knew so much about the trail, Wilbert Ramos is the name of the guide. He added so much humor and helped us get through challenging hikes like rainbow mountain and some parts of lares trek.
Fantastic trek Our guide Wilbert and head cook Wilfredo were the best. Not only did Wilbert lead us in the Lares trek but provided us with historical/ cultural background on the Incas. Prior to our trek, we received our meeting about our itinerary. We discussed what to expect on the trek, what necessary equipment is needed and provided our duffle bag for our gear. The next day, we were picked up and headed out to our drop off point. We were introduced to our cooks and later met the horsemen. We even stopped at the mercado (market) to pick up some fresh produce. It was amazing to see all the different types of potatoes and fresh vegetables/fruits. The first day on the trail, we met local women and children on the trail. After a few hours of hiking, we stopped for lunch. It was amazing food. I have a Gluten free diet and the cook Wilfredo provided the best gluten free meals that I have ever tasted. When we arrived at our campsite, our tents were set up, portable toilet, kitchen tent that included the dining room with camp stools. The elevation was at or about 13,000’. Yep. It was cold. Valencia travel provided an additional air form mattress so don’t forget your own mattress. Again dinner was like a five star restaurant. You wouldn’t actually believe to get this type of food while backpacking in Peru. Lares trek no ons the trail (no crowds) Only one other group from Valencia travel. No bugs Spectacular views Water was boiled and cool or hot for drinking No trail food necessary High energy snacks but just 1-4. (Depends on you) Just a 20-30L daypack to carry water, clothing, rain gear and pack cover just in case. ( I went in July) We continued on with day 2 Day 3 we ended our tent camping. Lunch in Mantananioc. Another five star lunch. Then off to Ollantaytambo catch the train to Machu Picchu. Day 4 we stayed in town. Five minutes from the train drop off. Day 4 visit to Machu Picchu. Early start is best to beat the crowds. Don’t forget to have the bus attendant stamp your passport. That ends the 4 day Lares trek but I added another Trek that I recommend. Rainbow Mountain.
A wonderful trip, highly recommend! We started at a hot springs with breakfast. Then hiked right from there through many different terrains, in and out of small back roads, had lunch in mountain towns, and chats with the local children and adults. Our chefs made delicious soups, full meals with meat and vegetables, and desserts - for every meal! The horseman and his family were so efficient and impressive. Our guide, Nico, shared so much with us and was very supportive the entire trek. We never saw another tourist group. It was quiet, beautiful, tasty, and, although cold at night, the stars, team, and hills were worth every minute. Machu Picchu was just icing on the cake for this trip. Come prepared to hike and be amazed at Perú’s nature and people.
Absolutely amazing experience! Valencia was so flexible with our travel plans and very responsive to our questions prior to our trip. From the moment we landed we felt supported by the company and our trek was just incredible. We did not book a private trip but we ended up being the only travelers on our trek. We started our trip with a via Ferrata and ziplining tour that was so fun! Then we began our trek. We had two cooks, two horseman, 5 horses and our guide, Freddie. The trek was gorgeous - Freddie was so knowledgeable and kind. He was professional and friendly and funny. The cooks were incredible and we felt overfed with each meal! The horseman were always working so hard and helping build and breakdown camp as well as helping with meals. All in all, we would recommend this company and this trip to anyone who is open to an incredible adventure - it was hard hiking at times but always worth the effort.
We had an incredible trip seeing local villages and beautiful landscapes on the Lares Trek to Machu Picchu. Our guide Frank was incredibly knowledgable giving us detailed information on the history of the area as well as information on the plants, animals, and geographic features we passed by. We spent the last day in Machu Picchu and went early before the crowds thanks to Valencia Travel and their impeccable planning. I couldn’t have been more impressed with the service we received and how well Valencia took care of us. The meals and accommodations were high class! They even included things we were not excepting like going to a local hot spring and sharing a meal with a family in a Peruvian home. Thank you so much to Frank and the whole Valencia team! We will always have you in our hearts.
The ground crew was amazing and did everything they could to make our trip comfortable. The office crew was not coordinated, printed info differ from website to info provided pretrip and info provided at briefing. We were a party of 4 (two couples). Each couple had different departure times and date on our way out. Valencia never showed up for one airport pickup. Nice concept of a portable toilet during our camp stay but instead of porting waste for a sustainable disposal, they just tipped everything over and emptied waste right on the ground and left it exposed; washing to komode in the steam adjacent. Pretty disgusting. We’ve done camping with tour companies in Bhutan and outlet regions of mongolia and there are better ways of dealing with human waste. I could go on and on about the many mishaps with the office staff but it would only diminish the good feelings I had about the visit in general and the great hospitality the locals provided.
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